The human cost on October 7th was horrific. And since that day, the hostages have endured unimaginable cruelty, and Palestinians have faced relentless death and destruction.
We welcome President Abbas’s call for the hostages to be released, and we echo that call. We also need a return to the ceasefire to end the terrible bloodshed.
We are deeply concerned by the World Food Programme’s announcement on Friday that its food stocks in Gaza have run out.
It is unacceptable that Israel has blocked humanitarian support from entering Gaza for nearly two months, meaning that Palestinian civilians, including one million children, are facing starvation, disease and death.
UN and other workers must be able to deliver life-saving assistance safely, and in line with humanitarian principles.
We are outraged by recent attacks, including the killing of Palestinian Red Crescent workers and the hit on a UN compound on 19th March. Israel has admitted that this was caused by one of their tanks, despite the compound being known to the IDF as a UN humanitarian facility.
This is inexcusable.
We urge Israel to ensure accurate public statements on such grave incidents. It must conduct full and transparent investigations into these incidents, hold those responsible to account and reinstate an effective deconfliction system to prevent such tragedies.
President, the UK believes that lasting peace and security can only be achieved through a two-state solution.
And we thank France and Saudi Arabia for their leadership in preparing for the conference in June. We should build on the Arab plan for Gaza’s future and develop credible security and governance plans acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas must no longer govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel and we should build the capability of the Palestinian Authority, which will be central to a future State.
Finally, we must seize the opportunity to build lasting peace across the region. There has been important progress in Lebanon, where the government has committed to crucial reforms, and in Syria, with moves towards an inclusive political transition.
The United Kingdom will continue to support the Lebanese and Syrian people to build on this momentum and we urge all parties to avoid destabilising actions and abide by their international obligations.
President, a better future in the Middle East is possible.
To realise it, we must return to a ceasefire in Gaza, reinvest in efforts to achieve a two-state solution and pursue wider normalisation of relationships for the benefit of Palestinians, Israelis, and all those living in the region. I thank you.
